Gavin Dirom and Mike Cathro: B.C. and the world need more geoscience

The work of Geoscience B.C. supports geologists looking for possible mineral deposits in B.C. and other provinces.Wayne Jackaman / Vancouver Sun

Last year set a unique and exciting stage for 2018 and beyond. Globally, a trend of misinformation and misuse of information has brought a new thirst for credible and trusted science. Our common future needs dynamic thinking, fresh approaches and pragmatic, evidence-based scientific information and decisions. The world is rapidly changing and a modern industrial revolution dependent on natural resources is bringing new technologies, such as hybrid and electric vehicles, into the mainstream faster than ever before.

Here in British Columbia, we have benefited and become a leading business, academic and technology hub for thousands of interlinked natural resource, high-tech digital and innovative service and supply companies. We also have raw materials — namely abundant mineral, energy, and water resources — for which world demand is forecast to grow as we continue to evolve towards a more integrated economy and a greener industrial future.

To thrive in the long-term, there will be an ongoing need for new, unbiased earth science information that attracts investment, informs decisions and supports the responsible development of our natural resources. Geoscience is the study of the Earth, including its natural energy, water and mineral resources. At Geoscience B.C., we have been applying new innovative approaches and pushing boundaries of geoscience research relating to minerals, oil and gas and geothermal for more than 12 years. Every day we strive to generate and share geoscience data that informs how people view, appreciate and benefit from the natural environment and its resources.

For example, to support exploration and discovery of metals such as the copper needed for green technologies like hybrid and electric vehicles, Geoscience BC undertakes large-scale airborne surveys of the province. This past May, Geoscience B.C.’s Search Phase III project was launched to continue a multi-year effort to collect geophysical data over central B.C. New magnetic and radiometric data — used to better understand the characteristics of rocks below the surface — was collected over a 9,600-square-kilometre area north of Prince George during the summer and fall. When the data is released in late January explorers, local governments and Indigenous groups will be able to use this new information to inform plans, advance projects and attract investment.

As well, Geoscience B.C. is working to collect and share important data about the potential for geothermal energy in B.C. because it could play a significant role in the long-term energy strategy for the province. To date, our work has included mapping B.C.’s geothermal “hotspots” and producing a guide for communities who are considering using geothermal for power or heat.

Oil and gas research is also underway to locate, accurately measure and monitor greenhouse gas emissions so that they can be better understood and more effectively managed. We recently launched the GHGMap project that uses a mini-optical instrument called a laser spectrometer that weighs just 400 grams and is capable of measuring GHGs at extremely sensitive parts-per-billion levels. Developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the instrument is mounted onto a small drone to quickly detect and analyze emissions of GHGs such as methane into the atmosphere.

Further, Geoscience B.C. is outlining and describing the quality and quantity of water resources. Our Peace Project is the first large-scale effort to map northeastern B.C.’s groundwater and provide reliable technical data to understand the Peace’s shallow aquifers. This work covers an area one-quarter the size of Vancouver Island (9,600 square kilometres) that continues to see significant oil and gas sector and agriculture activities.

The applied research that Geoscience B.C. has generated from more than 160 projects since 2005 is valued because it improves technical understanding, encourages innovation and sparks investment in B.C.

What we do is pretty cool, and it also matters. We share the very best earth science data because we trust that having more people (not just a few) considering the high-quality data, and how to use it, results in better outcomes, informed decisions and more lasting opportunities in B.C. for our rapidly changing world. Geoscience has never been more important.

Gavin Dirom is president and CEO and Mike Cathro is chairman of Geoscience B.C.

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